Lane Kiffin, Jaxson Dart Praised by CFB Fans as Ole Miss Dominates Duke in Gator Bowl

Andrew PetersJanuary 3, 2025

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 02: Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) throws a pass during the game between the Mississippi Rebels and the Duke Blue Devils on January 2, 2025 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Lane Kiffin didn't back when discussing the College Football Playoff committee leaving Ole Miss out of the 12-team field in recent weeks.

On Thursday, the Rebels head coach made a statement with a dominant 52-20 win over Duke in the Gator Bowl. Kiffin even said during a sideline interview in the fourth quarter that Ole Miss was trying to send a message to the committee about the strength of the SEC compared to other conferences.

"Let's finish strong and make a statement about our team, how we play and how we're playing against the ACC," he said on the ESPN broadcast.

While the CFP field is always going to be a heated discussion, Kiffin's squad looked like a Playoff team on Thursday. Some fans argued that the dominant performance proved Ole Miss should have been included in the College Football Playoff.

Matt Sertich 🏈 @CometBacker2011
Ole Miss was the CFP snub

Alex Donovan @AlexDonovan13
Welp. Of the 3 loss SEC teams that complained about not making the CFP, only Ole Miss showed up this bowl season.

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Kyle Wilson @coach_jkwilson
Ole Miss playing like they wanted to prove something to the CFP Committee. Love it 👌🏽 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HottyToddy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HottyToddy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OleMiss?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OleMiss</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TaxslayerBowl?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TaxslayerBowl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/olemissfootball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#olemissfootball</a>

Sean Anderson @SandersonRadio
Man this Ole Miss team looks pretty good. Did anyone consider them for the CFP?? 🤔

_ @Base_Plan99
to be fair, I had Ole Miss over South Carolina and Bama for the playoff spot

Tyson Wilson @tys0nwils0n
Ole miss should've been a playoff team

SLOTUS @Liston617
Ole Miss should have been in the playoff!!!

Wake Up SEC @wakeupsec
This is an all-time "what if?" season for Ole Miss. Most of the drama is done. But with all datapoints complete, Ole Miss' upside in the Playoff would have been fun to see. Inexcusable for this team to lose to Kentucky.

Nathan Monan @Titleist445
Ole Miss deserved to be in the playoff. They really wanted to be there…..

Jaxson Dart played his final collegiate game on Thursday and the senior went out on a positive note.

The star quarterback had 404 passing yards and four touchdowns on 27-of-35 passing while also picking up 43 yards on the ground in the win.

ESPN College Football @ESPNCFB
A BEAUTY of a throw from Jaxson Dart for the TD 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/z14x73dNLd">pic.twitter.com/z14x73dNLd</a>

In an age where many NFL prospects opt out of their bowl games to ensure full health before the draft, Dart chose to see it through with the Rebels and it could have boosted his stock. Fans had high praise for the veteran following his curtain call.

Emmanuel Acho @EmmanuelAcho
How is Jaxson Dart not being talked about like a top 10 overall pick? Ole Miss fans, what am I missing?? We only talk about Shedeur and Cam Ward, but this Dart kid is out here SLINGING IT!!

Everything Ole Miss @EverythingRebs
Aaron Murray Drew Lock Tim Tebow… And now Jaxson Dart The only 4 QB's in SEC HISTORY to eclipse 12,000 yards of total offense in their careers LEGEND 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/wJwWgWLlZh">pic.twitter.com/wJwWgWLlZh</a>

PFF College @PFF_College
Jaxson Dart at halftime vs Duke: 🎯 23/30 🎯 298 total Yards 🎯 2 TDs <a href="https://t.co/9JCbEbFM7o">pic.twitter.com/9JCbEbFM7o</a>

Travis May @FF_TravisM
Jaxson Dart just completely destroying Duke's Top 15 defense. Meaningful metrics suggest he should be QB1, QB2 at worst in this class. Hope he continues to rise in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLDraft?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLDraft</a> season. He deserves it.

JT The Brick @JTTheBrick
Jaxson Dart is worth taking a close look at if you're an <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFL</a> fan in need of a quarterback, but you knew that already…….

Everything Ole Miss @EverythingRebs
I just can't say enough what Jaxson Dart means to this program One of the toughest players we've had in our history

J 🌊 @JacksonB_99
Ole Miss was truly blessed to have someone with the drive, heart and talent that Jaxson Dart has. Will be a fan of this guy for the rest of time

Dart was likely going to be drafted this spring after a tremendous career, but he gave scouts even more to watch with yet another impressive game.

Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department lists Dart as the No. 75 overall player in the 2025 draft class and the No. 6 quarterback. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported during Dart's masterclass that one scout called Dart "a major steal in the draft" and said he "throws the ball down the field as well as anyone."

Dart's collegiate career is now over but he'll look to continue proving himself at the Senior Bowl and in the NFL draft combine later this year.

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